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Walking tour returns to downtown, churches

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By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer 9:27 PM Saturday, November 28, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — Even though churches are open to the public, people often don’t stop in if they’ve never been there before.

So the Springfield Preservation Alliance hopes its History, Hymns and Holly annual walking tour takes away some of the mystery of what lies behind the doors of some of the landmark churches and buildings downtown.

While the tour is not religious, it provides a chance for churches to introduce themselves to new people, said Kevin Rose, alliance president.

“The biggest obstacle for someone going to a new church is that they’ve never been there before ... We want to see these buildings used,” Rose said.

The walking tour is at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, and includes stops at the Masonic Temple, St. John’s Lutheran Church and Central United Methodist Church.

Local musicians will perform and snacks and drinks will be provided, along with discussion of the buildings’ history and architecture.

Tickets cost $10 or $8 for alliance members and $5 for students. They can be bought online at www.restorespringfield.org or at Fred E. Peters & Sons, 411 E. Main St.

When people see and go into these historic buildings, they appreciate them more and understand why it’s important to preserve them, Rose said.

“Our goal is to connect people to buildings, to connect them to their environment, to connect them to the community’s history,” he said.

If you go

What: History, Hymns and Holly

When: 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5

Where: Masonic Temple, St. John’s Lutheran and Central United Methodist churches

Cost: $10 general, $8 members and $5 students

Tickets available: Online at www.restorespringfield.org or at Fred E. Peters & Sons, 411 E. Main St.

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